Ask the Experts

Garden City Hospital is here to help. Now you can browse, search and view answers to frequently asked health questions. Have a personal health question you need answered? We can do that too! Simply submit your question and we will get it to the appropriate GCH health expert for an answer.

Ask the Experts is for general information purposes only. It should never be thought of as medical advice or treatment, nor should it be used in place of a thorough medical screening or an exam by a licensed medical professional. Medical advice should be sought from an emergency room, urgent care center, or licensed medical professional. If you need help finding a physician, use our online physician directory to locate a Garden City Hospital Health Expert that’s right for you.

Check the Sunday issue or your local O&E for more answers from the GCH Health Experts.

Note: Questions are selected both randomly and based on relevance or frequency. Not all submitted questions will be answered. Answers will be posted on GCH.org and not supplied directly to the submitter. To maintain personal privacy, we do not require any personal information be given to submit questions.

Q

At what point is a person with the flu contagious and how long can their germs live outside of their body?

A

Most adults are contagious one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms generally begin one to fo... read more

Source: Laura Kehler, GCH Infection Prevention Coordinator

A

Most adults are contagious one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms generally begin one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you even know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

How long germs live depends on where they fall. Specific cold and flu germs have survival times ranging from a few minutes to 48 hours or more. How long such germs remain capable of infecting you in day-to day life is harder to say.

Germs generally remain active longer on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces than on fabric and other soft surfaces. It’s easy to catch the flu or a cold from rubbing your nose after handling an infected object an infected person sneezed on. But personal contact with an infected person — a handshake, for example — is the most common way these germs spread.

The best way to avoid becoming infected with a cold or flu virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Again, and most importantly, get a flu vaccine every year.

Q

Does Tamiflu really work?

A

Prescription Tamiflu is not a cure all, but it can decrease the duration of illness by 30% to 40%, and decrease flu severity by about 40% if taken in the first 36 to 48 hours of illness. It c... read more

Source: Laura Kehler, GCH Infection Prevention Coordinator

A

Prescription Tamiflu is not a cure all, but it can decrease the duration of illness by 30% to 40%, and decrease flu severity by about 40% if taken in the first 36 to 48 hours of illness. It can also help prevent flu illness in people who have come into close contact with a flu patient.

It’s important to note, because of the severity of this year’s flu outbreak, pharmacies are struggling to meet the demand for Tamiflu. If it’s too late for a flu shot and you’re experiencing early flu symptoms, stay home and call your doctor. If you need a physician you can call the GCH Physician Referral Service at 877.717.WELL.

Q

Why should I get the flu vaccine every year?

A

Flu viruses are constantly changing and flu vaccines are formulated each year to keep up with these changing viruses. This year one flu vaccine protects against three different viruses which ... read more

Source: Jessie Lutz, R.N., GCH Community Health Services

A

Flu viruses are constantly changing and flu vaccines are formulated each year to keep up with these changing viruses. This year one flu vaccine protects against three different viruses which are circulating today; influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1n1) viruses and influenza A (H3n2).

Q

Kids being kids, how can I help them avoid other children’s flu germs?

A

Have your children remember these three rules: I will use Kleenex, I will wash my hands, and I will stay away from anybody who is sick.

Keep small children away from crowds as much... read more

Source: Jessie Lutz, R.N., GCH Community Health Services

A

Have your children remember these three rules: I will use Kleenex, I will wash my hands, and I will stay away from anybody who is sick.

Keep small children away from crowds as much as possible. Small groups are best. As always, try to stay away from people who have the flu.

Q

I am very concerned about transmitting and catching the flu this year. Is shaking hands or hugging just too risky?

A

The most common way to pass the flu virus is through human contact. While it may feel impolite not to shake an extended hand, most people would prefer not to be given the gift of flu. In thos... read more

Source: Jessie Lutz, R.N., GCH Community Health Services

A

The most common way to pass the flu virus is through human contact. While it may feel impolite not to shake an extended hand, most people would prefer not to be given the gift of flu. In those instances where a hug or hand shake feels needed, simply let the other person know that you may have come in contact with the flu and would not want to pass it on. This gets you both off the hook and will be appreciated.

On that same topic, while employers appreciate a dedicated employee, they will not appreciate one who causes the whole office to call in sick. Don’t try to be a hero. If you’re sick, stay home and get well. You need your rest and others don’t want your bug. If you’re concerned about what your boss will think, call and ask what you should do. Let your boss tell you to stay home…most will.